Published September 17, 2024 by Campus Information Office
With the aim to equip students and faculty from Malaysia, Thailand, and Philippines with the essential skills and knowledge needed to effectively lead and navigate the complexities of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Cagayan State University-Sanchez Mira (CSU-SM) hosted the 2024 International Training on Leadership and Futures Thinking Towards Achieving SDGs on September 17-18.
The international training is part of the five-day hosting of CSU of the Youth Leadership Towards SDGs Exchange Program from September 15-19, and was the second time for the university to conduct such event under its Youth Futures Thinking Program.
“Experiencing a different culture through this educational and cultural exchange, I am certain that we will gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and those around us,” said Dr. Rodel Francisco T. Alegado, campus executive officer of the CSU-SM, during the opening program.
During the first day at the campus, visiting students of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Malaysia with the exchange students of CSU underwent hands-on activities during their sessions on Filipino Cuisine, Creating Coconut-Based Novelty Items, and Filipino Folk Dance Training.
On the other hand, faculty members of CSU (PH), UiTM (Malaysia), and Indonesia, who joined via Zoom, attended the lecture series for faculty at the campus conference hall. Topics discussed by speakers from the three participating countries include the Best Practices on Student Organization Advising, Development of Futures Thinking Competencies, Integrating SDGs in Curricular Instruction, and UMSU’s SDGs Project in Gender: Promoting Gender Awareness through Literature Studies.
Ending the first day with the Friendship Night, the evening featured cross-cultural appreciation as Filipino cultural dances and song renditions by the Kayaw Dance Group and selected lecturers were performed also by the UiTM students, while the Filipino students tried their traditional Malaysian outfits. Their spirit of friendship continued on Day 2 during their nature immersion at Pagudpud Beach, Bangui Windmill, and Kapurpurawan